Dispensing system

ABSTRACT

A filter well mountable dispenser holder securable within a hot tub filter well with the dispenser holder supporting replaceable dispersant containing dispensing cartridges positionable within a circulating flow of water through the filter well to thereby release dispersants therefrom without preventing the circulating flow of water from passing through the filter media proximate the dispensing cartridges.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No.62/544,173 filed Aug. 11, 2017 and provisional application Ser. No.62/564,620 filed Sep. 28, 2017.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of dispensers that release a disperant or dispersants into thewater in a hot tub or the like to maintain the water, which recirculateswithin the hot tub, in a user friendly condition is well known. In oneexample a dispenser, which contains one or more dispersants, floats inthe hot tub and releases disperant into the water through water contactwith the dispersant within the dispenser. In another example a dispensercontaining one or more disperant is installed in an internal pipeline ofthe hot tub water circulation system. In still another example a stickshaped dispenser is either inserted into the core of a filter cartridge,where it is free rattle around as water flows through the filter core,or the stick shape dispenser may be extended perpendicularly outwardfrom the underside of a skimmer basket. Thus various devices have beenemployed to deliver dispersants into a hot tub that may requiremodification to the hot tub or the devices may integrated intocomponents of hot tub, which in some cases makes it difficult or timeconsuming to replace a dispenser once the dispersant therein isconsumed. In other cases the output of a dispenser placed in the filterwell may become erratic due to instability of its position in the filterwell or in other cases to the instability of flow past the dispenser,which may alter the output of the dispenser.

Typically, hot tubs or the like have a filter well coupled to arecirculating water system that circulates water through the filterwell, which contains a filter cartridge that removes debri from thewater as the water flows through the filter cartridge. A weir gate orsimilar device separates the filter well from the area occupied by thehot tub users. Since the filter well, which contains a filter cartridge,is located outside of the main hot tub sitting area it becomes aconvenient location for placing a dispenser therein so as not tointerfere with the persons using the hot tub. Although a convenientlocation a dispensing cartridge placed therein should not prevent anormal flow of water through the filter media while retaining theability to effectively deliver dispersant into the recirculating water.In addition the dispensing cartridge should be easily replaceable oncethe dispersant in the dispensing cartridge has been consumed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A filter well dispensing system including a filter well mountabledispenser holder securable within a hot tub filter well with thedispenser holder supporting at least one replaceable dispensingcartridge within a circulating flow of water that flows through thefilter well with the dispenser holder and the at least one replaceabledispensing cartridge held in a spaced condition proximate a filter mediaby the dispenser holder to thereby release dispersants from thedispensing cartridges thereon into the circulating flow of water withoutpreventing the circulating flow of water from flowing through a portionof filter media located proximate the dispenser holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hot tub with a filter well mountabledispenser holder located in the filter well of the hot tub;

FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of the filter well of FIG. 1showing the filter well mountable dispenser holder with dispensingcartridges positioned above two vertical extending filter cartridges;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the dispenser holder with the dispensingcartridges engaged with adjacent filter cartridges in the filter well;

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the dispenser holder and dispensingcartridges located proximate the filter media of adjacent filtercartridges;

FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view showing the dispensing cartridgeslocated proximate the filter media of adjacent filter cartridges;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dispenser holder with two dispensingcartridges secured thereto;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the dispenser holder and the dispensingcartridges of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6A is a front view of the dispenser holder of FIG. 6 without anydispensing cartridges attached thereto;

FIG. 6B is a top view of the dispenser holder of FIG. 6 without anydispensing cartridges attached thereto;

FIG. 6C is a bottom view of the dispenser holder of FIG. 6 without anydispensing cartridges attached thereto;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view an inside bottom end of one of thedispensing cartridges shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an inside bottom end view of one of the dispensing cartridgesshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an outside bottom end view of one of the dispensing cartridgesshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating formation of interlockingengagement between a post on the dispenser holder and a dispensingcartridge;

FIG. 11 is a partial front view of the dispenser holder of FIG. 6Ashowing a set of resilient latching fingers and adjacent ribs on thedispenser holder;

FIG. 11A is an isolated perspective view of one of the set of resilientlatching fingers and one of the ribs on the dispenser holder of FIG. 6Ashowing the relationship of a resilient latching finger to a rib on thedispenser holder;

FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the flexing of resilient latchfingers as they bend past a rib on the dispenser holder;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing the relationship of a resilientlatching finger of FIG. 12 to an adjacent rib on the dispenser holder;

FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating a first step in flexing of a set ofresilient latching fingers in relation to a filter end cap as the set ofthe resilient latching fingers are about to engage a filter end cap;

FIG. 13A is side view of one of the latching fingers of FIG. 13 showingthe relationship of the one of the resilient latching finger to thefilter end caps as the one of the resilient latching fingers is about toengage the side by side filter end caps;

FIG. 14 is a top view showing the latching fingers of FIG. 13 inrelation to a filter end cap as the latching fingers are sliding overlips of adjacent filter end caps;

FIG. 14A is side view of one of the latching fingers of FIG. 14 showingthe relationship of a resilient latching finger to the filter end capsas the resilient latching finger flexes to engage the lips of adjacentfilter end caps;

FIG. 15 is a top view showing one of the latching fingers in relation tothe filter end caps after the latching fingers have slid past the lipsof adjacent filter end caps;

FIG. 15A is a side view showing one of the latching fingers of FIG. 13in relation to the filter end caps after the latching finger has slidpast the lip of adjacent filter end caps;

FIG. 16 is a front view of a filter well of a hot tub with a filter welldispenser holder and dispensing cartridges proximate a filter media of ahorizontal extending filter cartridge;

FIG. 16A is a side view of the filter well with dispenser holder anddispensing cartridges of FIG. 16 taken along lines 16A-16 a of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the filter well dispenser holder anddispensing cartridges of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view showing one end of the filter welldispenser holder of FIG. 17 in engagement with a filter end cap of afilter cartridge;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing another end of the filter welldispenser holder of FIG. 17 in engagement with a second end of thefilter cartridge;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an end adapter for the filter welldispenser holder of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20A is a front view of an end adapter for the filter well dispenserholder of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20B is a side view of the end adapter of FIG. 20A;

FIG. 20C is a partial view of an offset radial arm having a set oflatches for engaging the end adapter of FIG. 20A:

FIG. 21 is a front view of a dispensing cartridge rotationally mountablein the filter well dispenser holder of FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is a side view of a dispensing cartridge of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a top view of a dispensing cartridge of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of a dispensing cartridge of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a dispensing cartridge of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 is a front view of a dispensing cartridge of FIG. 21 about to beaxially inserted into a cartridge socket in the dispenser holder of FIG.17;

FIG. 26A is a top view of the cartridge socket of FIG. 26;

FIG. 27 is a top view of the dispensing cartridge of FIG. 21 inengagement with a socket in the dispenser holder of FIG. 17;

FIG. 27A shows an isolated top sectional view of one of the resilientextensions of the cartridge socket and a dispensing cartridge;

FIG. 28 shows dispenser carriage of FIG. 21 rotated into lockingengagement with the dispenser holder of FIG. 17;

FIG. 28A is an isolated top sectional view of the latching engagement ofone side of the cartridge socket and one side of the dispensingcartridge of FIG. 21;

FIG. 29 is an isolated front view of a filter well with a pair ofvertically positioned filter cartridges having a filter well dispenserholder secured thereto;

FIG. 30 is an isolated perspective view of the dispenser holder of FIG.29 with dispensing cartridges axially positioned proximate the filtermedia of one of the vertically positioned filter cartridges;

FIG. 30A is a top view of a dispenser holder of FIG. 30 secured to anend cap of a filter cartridge;

FIG. 30B is an isolated view of one of the latches that secures thedispenser holder of FIG. 30 to the end cap of a filter cartridge;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the dispensing cartridges of FIG. 29taken along lines 31-31 of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a top view of a dispensing holder secured to a filter capwith a set of three cap latches;

FIG. 33 is a front view of the elongate base of dispenser holder of FIG.30 with one of the dispensing cartridges removed; and

FIG. 34 is a back view of a dispensing cartridge revealing sockets forfrictionally engaging pins on the dispenser holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hot tub 10 with an underwaterdispenser holder 13 located in a filter well 11, which is an integralcomponent of hot tub 10. A weir gate 12 separates the filter well 11from a seating area 9 in water chamber 10 a.

FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of the hot tub filter well 11showing a filter well mountable dispenser holder 13 in an insertposition above a top end of filter cartridge 17 and a top end of filtercartridge 18. Dispenser holder 13 comprises a frictionally mountabledispensing dispenser holder that carries a first dispensing cartridge 14and a second dispensing cartridge 15, which are also shown located abovethe end mount upright filter cartridges 17 and 18. In the insertposition shown the dispenser holder 13 can be lowered onto and attachedto a filter end cap 17 a and to filter end cap 17 b with the two filtercaps supporting the dispenser holder 13 and the dispensing cartridges 14and 15 in a proximate by spaced condition from cylindrical filter media17 a and cylindrical filter media 18 a. The maintaining of a spacedcondition of the dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 from the filter media17 a and 18 a permits dispersant dispensing from dispensing cartridges14 and 15 without blocking of the flow of circulating water through thecylindrical filter media 17 a or the cylindrical filter media 18 a.Thus, a feature of the invention is that the circulation of fluidthrough the filter media 17 a and 18 a proximate the dispenser holderand dispensing cartridges can be maintained when the dispenser holderand dispensing cartridges are mounted as shown since the dispensingcartridges 14 and 15 as well as the portion of the dispenser holder 13located proximate the filter media while located in the filter well arespaced from the filter media 17 a and 18 a so as not to block the flowof water into a portion of the filter media that is radially spaced fromboth the dispensing cartridges and the dispenser holder. The circulatingwater flowing through the filter media creates a stable flow conditionproximate the area dispensing cartridges thereby eliminatinginstabilities that occur with free floating dispensers in a filter well.A further feature of the invention is that the dispenser holder 13 anddispensing cartridges 14 and 15 are after market devices that arecompatible with the structures of an existing hot tub filter well and assuch require no tools or modifications to the hot tub filter well thusmaking the dispenser holder and dispensing cartridges suitable for aconsumer to attach or remove from the filter well without the use ofspecial tools.

In operation of the hot tub 10 either with or without the dispenserholder 13 and dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 water flows radiallyinward through the cylindrical filter media 17 a of the end mountedfilter cartridge 17 and radial inward through an identical cylindricalfilter media 18 a in filter cartridge 18. In this example the two filtercartridges 17 and 18 are located in a side by side position but spacedfrom each other to allow a circulating flow of water to flow radiallyinto and through the cylindrical filter media 17 a and the cylindricalfilter media 18 a to filter the water and remove contaminants such asdebri or bacteria from the water. Once the contaminants are removed thefiltered water discharges into the hot tub from a return passage locatedin the core or center of each of the filter cartridges.

FIG. 2 shows a filter retaining cap 21 engaging a filter end cap 17 b tofixedly hold filter cartridge 17 in a flow filtering position withinfilter well 11 and, similarly, a filter retaining cap 20 engages afilter end cap 18 b to fixedly hold filter cartridge 18 in a flowfiltering position within the filter well 11. FIG. 2 shows dispenserholder 13 supporting replaceable dispensing cartridges 14 and 15, in theinsert position where the dispenser holder 13 with the dispensingcartridges 14 and 15 thereon can be hand inserted downward into an openor free space between adjacent filter cartridges 17 and 18 by graspingholder 13 with the fingers of one hand. As shown filter cartridge 17includes an annular pleated filter media 17 a and filter cartridges 18includes an annular pleated filter media 18 a which allows waterentering the filter well to flow radially inward through filter media 17a and filter media 18 a while preventing contaminants from flowingtherethrough.

FIG. 3 is an isolated front view of filter well 11 showing dispenserholder 13 with dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 in a dispensing conditionproximate the filter media 17 a of filter cartridge 17 and proximate thefilter media 18 a of filter cartridge 18. The filter cartridge 17 andfilter cartridge 18 as well as the dispenser holder 13 and thedispensing cartridges 14 and 15 are located below a water line 19 toenable dispersants in dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 to be releasedinto the circulating flow of water in the hot tub as contaminants areremoved from the water through the filter cartridges 17 and 18. In thisexample an arcuate lip 13 a on one side of housing of dispenser holder13 engages top end cap 18 b and a second arcuate lip 13 b on theopposite side of housing of dispenser holder 13 engages top end cap 17 bto support dispenser holder 13 thereon.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing dispenser holder 13, which is verticallysupported on filter end cap 17 b by the first arcuate lip 13 b that ispart of dispenser holder 13 and vertically supported on filter end cap18 b by the second arcuate lip 13 b, which is also a part of dispenserholder 13. In this example the top surface of filter end cap 17 b andthe top surface of end cap 18 b vertically support dispensing holder to13 maintain the dispensing cartridge 14 and the dispensing cartridge 15in a spaced vertically fixed condition proximate the filter media 17 aand the filter media 18 a. As described hereinafter the end cap 17 b andend cap 18 b frictionally engage latching members 40 and 42 (shown inFIG. 6A) to maintain the dispenser holder 13 and dispensing cartridges14 and 15 in a stable and fixed dispensing condition proximate filtercartridge 17 and filter cartridge 18. A feature of the invention is thatthe dispensing cartridges are fixedly positioned in a more stable flowregion of the circulating water stream proximate the filter media 17 aand 18 a. Consequently, since the dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 aremounted in a more stable flow region proximate the filter media 17 a andfilter media 17 b the flow past the dispensing cartridge 14 anddispensing cartridge 15 remains more uniform and less subject to waterflow disturbances. Thus, a feature of the invention is that it virtuallyeliminates adverse effects one may experience with free floating orunsecured dispensers or for example secured dispensers that are attachedto weir gates since such fixed devices are subject to water flowperturbations or water flow disturbances that may effect the dispensingrate of the dispensers.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 showingdispenser holder 13 and dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 located in aspaced condition between filter cartridge 17 and filter cartridge 18.Dispensing cartridge 14 contains a dispersant 24 and dispensingcartridges 15 contains a dispersant 23. FIG. 4A shows lateral arcuatespacing between filter cartridges 18 and dispensing cartridge 14 and 15that forms a gap of width x between the exterior convex surface ofpleated filter media 18 b and concave side surface 14 b of dispensingcartridge 14 and concave side surface 15 b of dispensing cartridge 15.Similarly, FIG. 4A shows the lateral arcuate spacing forms a first gapof width x between the exterior convex surface of filter media 17 b andconcave side surface 14 a of dispensing cartridge 14 and a second gap ofwidth x between a concave side surface 15 b of dispensing cartridge 15and a convex surface of filter media 18 b. The width of the gap, whichis denoted by x, is sufficient so that water can flow within the gaptherebetween and through the portion of the filter media locatedproximate the dispensing holder 13 when the dispensing cartridges aremounted on holder 13. As shown the dispenser holder 20 positioningallows the hot tub water circulation system to circulate the water pastthe dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 that are fixedly mounted within astable flow region of the filter well 11. Thus, a feature of the fixedplacement of dispenser holder 20 and dispensing cartridges 14 and 15proximate the filter media, as shown in FIG. 4A, is that the dispensingcartridges are supported in the flow region proximate the filter media17 b and filter media 18 b, a flow region that remains relatively stablesince the circulating water exits from the filter well through thefilter cartridges 17 and 18 before the filtered water is returned to thehot tub.

FIG. 5 is a perspective assembled view of the dispenser holder 13 with afirst snap-in dispensing cartridge 14 attached to one side of dispenserholder 13 and a second snap-in dispensing cartridge 15 attached to anopposite side of dispenser holder 13 while FIG. 6 is an exploded view ofthe dispenser holder 13, the dispensing cartridge 14 and dispensingcartridge 15. In the assembled condition shown in FIG. 5 the dispensingcartridges 14 and 15 together with dispenser holder 13 can be handinserted as a unit into the space between filter cartridges 17 and 18.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of dispenser holder 13, FIG. 6A is a frontview of dispenser holder 13 with a top base 13 d, FIG. 6B is a top viewof dispenser holder 13 and FIG. 6C is a bottom view of dispenser holder13 revealing cantilevered extensions forming Y-shaped yokes for snap-inengagement with dispensing cartridges. The drawings show dispenserholder 13 includes a first Y-shaped yoke 25 a having a first resilientextension 26 with a dispensing cartridge engaging lip 26 a at thecantilevered end of extension 26 and a second resilient extension 28having a dispensing cartridge engaging lip 28 a at the cantilevered endof extension 28. In this example one or both of the extensions 26 and 28are spreadable away from each other for snap-in engagement to a firsttop corner 14 e and a second top corner 14 f on triangular shapeddispensing cartridge 14.

Similarly, dispenser holder 13 includes a second Y-shaped yoke 25 havinga third resilient extension 27 having a dispensing cartridge engaginglip 27 a at the cantilevered end of extension 27 and a fourth resilientextension 29 having a dispensing cartridge engaging lip 29 a at thecantilevered end of extension 29. In this example one or both of theextensions 27 and 29 are spreadable away from each other for snap-inengagement to a first top corner 15 e and a second top corner 15 f ontriangular shaped dispensing cartridge 15.

Located on a bottom end of dispensing cartridge 14 is a finger rotatablewheel 34 that can be rotated to increase or decrease an open port areafor water to enter a dispersant chamber 14 d in dispensing cartridge 14and located on the top end of cartridge 14 is an air vent 35 that allowsair to escape from the dispersant chamber therein so that water canenter through the open port area in the bottom of dispensing cartridge14. Similarly, located on the bottom end of dispensing cartridge 15 is afinger rotatable wheel 36 that can be hand rotated to increase ordecrease an open port area for water to enter a dispersant chamber 15 din the dispensing cartridge 15 and located on the top end of cartridge15 is an air vent 37 that allows air to escape from the dispersantchamber so that water can enter into the dispersant chamber indispensing cartridge 15 through the open port area in the bottom ofdispensing cartridge 15. Thus, a feature of the invention is that thedispensing rate from each of the dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 can becontrolled independently of each other.

FIG. 5 shows dispenser holder 13 in top engagement with dispensingcartridge 14 through yolk extensions 26 and 28. In addition, FIG. 6shows that dispenser holder 13 includes a U-shape rigid post 31 and ahook 31 a for bottom end engagement to dispensing cartridge 14. FIG. 10shows an arrow that indicates an insertion path the lower portion ofdispensing cartridge 14 follows as tubular housing 14 c thereon engageshook 31 a to form a bottom locking engagement with post 31 as the topportion of dispensing cartridge 14 snaps into yolk extensions 26 and 28.Post 31 includes a stop 31 c to engage and support housing 14 c. Afeature of the invention is that the interior concave surface 31 b ofU-shape rigid post 31 forms a guide surface or channel to assistalignment when inserting the tubular housing 14 c onto the tubularextension 31 a, thus facilitating a positive and quick alignment of thedispensing cartridge 14 with the dispenser holder 13 as well as formingsupport for a lower end of dispensing cartridge 14.

To attach dispensing cartridge 14 to dispenser holder 13 one firstinserts the tubular housing 14 on dispensing cartridge 14 intoengagement with hook 31 a on cartridge 14. Next, one tilts or pivots thetop of dispensing cartridge 14 forward until it snaps into engagementwith the yolk formed by yolk extensions 26 and 28. Thus, in the exampleshown one obtains top securement of dispensing cartridge 14 to thedispenser holder 13 through coaction of the top yoke extension 26 andtop yolk extension 28 and bottom securement of the dispensing cartridge14 through engagement of the tubular housing 14 c of dispensingcartridges 14 and hook 31 a on post 31. Similarly, dispensing cartridge15 and U-shaped rigid post 33, which contains an identical hook (FIG.6B), can be brought into bottom locking engagement. Next, one tilts orpivots the top of dispensing cartridge 15 forward until it snaps intoengagement with the yolk formed by yolk extensions 28 and 29 with thetop locking engagement and bottom locking engagement allowing one tomaintain a fixed relationship of the dispensing cartridge 15 withrespect to the dispenser holder 13. This feature allows one to grasp thedispenser holder 13 and bring the dispenser holder into frictionallyengagement with top cap 17 b of filter cartridge 17 and top cap 18 b offilter cartridge 18. The insertion of the dispensing cartridges 14 and15 and dispenser holder 13 into engagement with the end cap 18 bautomatically positions the dispenser holder 13 and the dispensingcartridges 14 and 15 a spaced distance from the filter media asillustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6A is an isolated front view of dispenser holder 13 revealing afirst U-shape rigid post 31 on one side of holder 13 and a secondU-shape rigid post 33 on the opposite side of holder 13 with post 33 andpost 31 cantilevered outward from below the base 13 d of dispenserholder 13. Located in a central top portion of dispenser holder 13 is afirst resilient bifurcated latch extension 40 and a second resilientbifurcated latch extension 42 for resiliently and simultaneouslyengaging a filter cartridge top cap l7 b on filter 17 and a filtercartridge top cap 18 b on filter 18 to hold the dispenser holder 13 anddispensing cartridges 14 and 15 in a dispensing position proximate thefilter media 17 a and the filter media 18 a. A U-shaped finger grip 13 awith an opening therethrough provides for finger engagement withdispenser holder 13 to allow a user to axially insert dispenser holder13 and dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 thereon into locking engagementbetween filter cartridge 17 and filter cartridge 18 as well as to removethe dispenser holder 13 dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 when thedispensing cartridges are spent. In the example shown a dispensingcartridge 14 or 15 may be individually removed from the dispenser holder13 while the dispenser holder remains attached to the filter caps sincethe dispensing cartridges can be latterly displaced away from thedispenser holder 13. In addition the dispensing cartridges 14 and 15 areeach shown with a curved or concave face that follows the curved convexsurface of the exterior of the filter cartridge to thereby provide auniform flow distance between the filter media and the dispensingcartridge.

FIG. 6B is a top view of dispenser holder 13 without dispensingcartridges attached thereto. Extending from one side of holder 13 is afirst U-shaped rigid post 31 that includes a hook 31 a and stop 31 c forengaging one end of a dispensing cartridge, which is located on one sideof dispenser holder 13. Extending from the opposite side of holder 13 isa second identical U-shaped rigid post 33 that, similarly, includes ahook 33 a and stop 33 c for engaging with a one end of a seconddispensing cartridge. The combination of the hook 31 a and stop 31 cwith yoke lip 26 a and yoke lip 28 a form a three-point attachment tohold a first dispensing cartridge 15 on dispenser holder 13 as shown inFIG. 5. Similarly, the combination of the hook 33 a and stop 33 c withyoke lip 27 a and yoke lip 29 a also form a three-point attachment tohold a second dispensing cartridge 14 on dispenser holder 13 as shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 6C is a bottom view of dispenser holder 13 without dispensingcartridges attached thereto. Extending outward from the underside ofdispenser holder 13 are a first resilient bifurcated latching member 40and a second bifurcated resilient latching member 42 that can engage thefilter end cap 17 b and 18 b to support the dispenser holder 13 thereon.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 6B show that the frictionally mountable dispenser holder13 includes a base 13 d having a first dispensing cartridge top supportcomprising a first Y-shaped yoke 25 and a second dispensing cartridgetop support comprising a second Y-shaped yoke 25 a with a finger grip 13c extending outward from a topside of base 13 d. A first cartridge post33 extends from a bottom side of base 13 d with the first cartridge posthaving a cartridge support 33 a thereon as shown in FIG. 6B. Similarly,a second cartridge post 31 extends from a bottom side of base 13 d withthe second cartridge post having a cartridge support 31 a thereon, whichis also shown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 10.

FIG. 13a shows a detail of the resilient bifurcated latch 42 extendingfrom the bottom side of base 13 that becomes a first filter cap engaginglatch 42 through use of a first shoulder 42 e on one side for engaging afirst filter cartridge end cap on one of a set of side by side filtercartridges (i.e. 17) and a second shoulder 42 d on an opposite side forengaging a second filter cartridge end cap on the other of the set ofside by side filter cartridges (i.e. 18). As can be seen in FIG. 15A theshoulder 42 e engages the underside 17 c of lip 17 b and the opposingshoulder 42 d engages the underside 18 c of lip 18 b to frictionalsecure the dispenser holder 13 to filter cartridges 17 and 18.Similarly, as shown in FIG. 14 extending outward from the bottom side ofbase 13 is a second filter cap engaging latch 40 with a first shoulder40d on one side for engaging a filter cartridge end cap on one of theset of side by side filter cartridges (17) and a second shoulder 40 efor engaging a filter cartridge lip on the other of the set of side byside filter cartridges (18). Thus as illustrated in FIG. 15 latch 40engages both filter end cap 17 b and filter end cap 18 b and latch 42also engages both filter end cap 17 b and filter end cap 18 b tofrictionally support the dispenser holder 13 proximate the filtercartridges 17.

FIG. 7 shows a rotateable port adjustment wheel 34, which is located atthe bottom of dispensing cartridge 14 with a bottom cut away viewshowing a bottom end cap 14 b that forms part of dispensing cartridge14. In this example the rotatable wheel 34 rotates about pivot pin 14 pto increase or decrease the water access area to the dispersant 24 (FIG.4a ) within compartment 14 d of dispensing cartridge 14. The rotatablewheel 34 includes various size openings therein with the wheel rotatableto allow more or less water to enter the dispensing cartridge whileretaining disperant within the dispensing cartridge 14. Similarly, arotatable wheel 36 rotates about an identical pivot pin to increase ordecrease the water access area to the dispersant 23 (FIG. 4a ) withincompartment 15 d of dispensing cartridge 15.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of dispensing cartridge 14 showing the tubularhousing 14 and the elongated port 34 b and elongated port 34 e onrotatable wheel 34 that can be rotated to increase or decrease wateraccess to disperant within dispensing cartridge 14.

In this example the lower portion of dispersant compartment 14 attachesto a triangular top housing as shown in FIG. 5 through locking extension40, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d and 40 e to form compartment 42 for holdingdispersant therein.

FIG. 8 is a sectional inside view taken along line 8-8 of the dispensingcartridge 14 shown in FIG. 6 to reveal a first set of four circularports 14 d and a second set of four circular ports 14 e that have anextension there across to limit large water treatment particles frompassing therethrough. A pin 14 p is rotationally supported in the bottomof dispensing cartridge 14 with the pin 14 p attached to rotateablewheel 34 shown in FIG. 9. In the bottom view of dispensing cartridgeshown in FIG. 9 the elongated water port 34 a and elongated 34 b are inalignment with a set of water ports 14 d and 14 e to permit water toaccess the dispersants 24 located in dispensing cartridge 14. Thus afeature of the invention is the rate of release of dispersants from thedispensing cartridge can be independently changed to accommodatedifferent bacterial loads on the hot tub.

FIG. 11 is a side view of dispenser holder 13 with the first post 31having a tapered longitudinal reinforcing rib 31 c extending lengthwisetherealong and the second post 33 having a tapered longitudinalreinforcing rib 33 c extending therealong. Cantileverly extending fromone side of base 13 b of dispenser holder 13 is the first resilient,bifurcated cap latch 40 and cantileverly extending from the oppositeside of base 12 b is the second resilient, bifurcated cap latch 42. FIG.11A shows an isolated perspective view of rib 31 c in relation to a slot42 c in cap latch 42 prior to insertion of the dispenser holder 13 ontoend cap 17 a of filter cartridge 17 and end cap 18 b of filter cartridge18.

FIG. 12 illustrates how both resilient cap latch 40 and resilient caplatch 42 would bend or flex laterally outward during the process ofinserting the dispenser holder 13 between adjacent filter cartridges 17and 18. FIG. 12a illustrates that during the insertion process slot 40 cof bifurcated cap latch 42 straddles rib 31 c to provide clearance for aterminal end of cap latch 42 to flex outward past filter cartridge lips.Similarly, an identical slot bifurcated on cap latch 40 straddles rib 33c to provide clearance for a terminal end of cap latch 40 to flexoutward past filter cartridge end cap 17 a and filter cartridge end cap18 a during the insertion of the dispenser holder 13 onto an under waterposition adjacent filter end caps on adjacent filter cartridges 17 and18.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional top view of dispenser holder 13 taken alonglines 13-13 of FIG. 12 revealing the lateral position of the resilientcap latches 40 and 42 prior to the engagement with filter end cap 17 band filter end cap 18 b. FIG. 13A is an isolated view revealing thevertical unflexed position of resilient cap latch 42 and filter end cap17 b and 18 b prior to the cap latch 42 coming into contact with filterend cap lip 17 b and filter end cap lip 18 b. In this condition the caplatch 42 remains in a normal non-flexed condition as shown in FIG. 11.FIG. 13A shows an isolated view of the cap latch 42 located verticallyabove the end cap 17 b and end cap 18 b in the normal non-flexedcondition prior to engagement with the filter cartridge end caps 17 band 18 b. Similarly, cap latch 40 is also located vertically above theend cap 17 b and end cap 18 b in the normal non-flexed condition priorto engagement with the filter cartridge end caps 17 b and 18 b as thedispenser holder 13 is lowered into filter end cap engagement.

FIG. 14 shows the lateral position of the cap latch 40 and cap latch 42during the process of simultaneously inserting the dispenser holder 13into engagement with the filter end cap 17 b and filter end cap 18 b. Inthe position shown the cap latch 40 and the cap latch 42 have both beenflexed laterally outward in order for the terminal end of cap latches 40and 42 to pass over the end cap 17 b and end cap 18 b. FIG. 14a showscap latch 42 in a flexed condition as the cap latch 42 contacts filterend cap 17 b and filter end cap 18 b. Similarly, cap latch 40 contactsfilter end cap 17 b causing cap latch 40 to flex latterly outward so theterminal end of cap latch 40 can pass over the end cap 17 b and end cap18 b for engagement with the underside 17 c of the end cap 17 and theunderside 18 c of end cap 18.

FIG. 15 illustrates the final step of the process of insertion thedispenser holder 13 on to adjacent filter cartridges 17 and 18. In thisstep, resilient cap latches 42 and 40 flex back to their originalorientation shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13. That is, once the terminal endof cap latch 42 and the terminal end of cap latch 40 are forced past theend caps 17 b and 18 b the resiliency of the cap latches urges the caplatch 42 and cap latch 40 to return to the original orientation. As caplatch 42 returns toward a normal or original orientation a shoulder 42 don one side of cap latch 42 engages the underside 18 c of filter end cap18 b and a shoulder 42 e on the opposite of cap last 42 engages theunder side 17 c of filter end cap 17 b to thereby restrain dispenserholder 13 from upward movement. Similarly, as cap latch 40 returnstoward a normal or original orientation a shoulder 40 e on one side ofcap latch 40 engages the underside 18 c of filter end cap 18 b and ashoulder 40 d on the opposite side of cap latch 40 engages the underside 17 c of filter end cap 17 b to thereby restrain dispenser holder 13from upward movement.

Since the cap latches 40 and 42 are both resilient an upward force ondispenser holder 13 permits one to overcome the restraining engagementof cap latch 40 and 42 by pulling upward on dispenser holder 13 if onewants to remove the dispenser holder. Thus, a feature of the inventionis that one can insert the dispenser holder 13 with dispensingcartridges 14 and 15 thereon from a position above filter cartridges(shown in FIG. 2) into a disperant delivery position (shown in FIG. 3)by lowering the dispenser holder 13 until both the cap latches 42 and 40engage the filter cap lips 17 b and 18 b. Once the cap latches 40 and 42engage the filter cap lips 17 b and 18 b the cartridges 14 and 15 ondispenser holder 13 remain in an operative dispensing condition untilthe dispenser holder 13 is removed by pulling upward on dispenser holder13 sufficiently to overpower the resistance provided by engagement ofcap latches 40 and 42 with filter end caps 17 b and 18 b.

Thus, in the example of FIG. 1 the hot tub 10 contains a water chamber14 and a body of recirculating water 9 with the hot tub including afilter well 11 having at least one cylindrical filter cartridge 17,which is located below a water line 19 in the hot tub, with thecylindrical filter cartridge 12 having a filter media 17 a for removingdebris and bacteria from the recirculating water 9 as the recirculatingwater flows through the filter media. The dispenser holder 13, which islocated in filter well 11, is supported on an end cap 17 b of filtercartridge 17 and on end cap 18 b of adjacent filter cartridge 18. Whilethe dispenser holder 13 is supported on the end cap of adjacent filtercartridges the dispenser holder could be supported on the end cap of asingle filter cartridge. In this condition the hot tub system providesfiltering without reduction of the filtering area and withoutmodification of the hardware of the hot tub since the dispenser holderand the cartridge dispensers are both spaced from but proximate anexterior surface of the filter media to form a gap therebetween with thegap sufficient large so as to allow the recirculating water to flow intothe gap and through the filter media proximate the dispenser holder. Atleast one or more dispensing cartridges, such as cartridges 14 and 15are removably attached to the dispenser holder 13 with each of thedispensing cartridges containing a dispersant therein with the outlet(FIG. 9) of the dispensing cartridge located below the water line 17 andspaced from the filter media to thereby deliver the dispersants thereininto the recirculating water flowing through the filter media in thefilter cartridges 17 and 18 without disrupting the performance of thehot tub recirculation system and without having a dispenser in thefilter well that will from time to time interfere with the flow ofrecirculating water therethrough.

The underwater dispenser holder and the dispensing cartridges describedand shown herein may include some or all of the following featuresincluding; a rigid base having a first filter engaging lip and a secondfilter engaging lip; a filter latch extending outward from said base; afirst dispenser engaging base post including a pocket for inserting adispenser lip therein; a dispenser latch; a resilient filter latch; abase post includes a ramp for guiding a dispenser into latchingengagement therewith; a base having a lip having an arcuate shapeengageable with a portion of a top edge of a filter cartridge; a filterlatch comprising a set of cartridge engaging legs; a bottom end ofeither the first dispenser or the second dispenser including a set ofinternal extensions proximate a variable water inlet to inhibitparticles from blocking the water inlet; a Y-shaped yoke having a pairof resilient lateral extensions for snappable engagement with a one endof a dispensing cartridge, a replaceable cartridge having a fingerrelief to assist in snapping the replaceable cartridge into or out of adispenser holder; a dispensing cartridge with a set of elongatedsidewalls with at least two of the set of elongated sidewalls having aconcave arcuate surface; a bottom end of a dispensing cartridgeincluding a rotatable disk for increasing or decreasing size of a waterinlet on the bottom end of the cartridge; a hook thereon for engagementwith a pocket on a dispensing cartridge; a dispensing cartridge having afirst corner lip and a second corner lip for engagement to a top end ofa filter well dispenser holder for securing a dispensing cartridge tothe filter well dispenser holder; a dispensing cartridge and a dispenserholder comprising a plastic polymer; a dispensing cartridge attached tothe filter cartridge with the dispensing cartridge located below thewater line and spaced from the filter cartridge so as not to preventcirculation of hot tub water through the filter cartridge; a furtherdispensing cartridge attached to the filter cartridge with the furtherdispensing cartridge located below the water line and spaced from thefilter cartridge so as not to prevent circulation of hot tub waterthrough the filter cartridge; a dispensing cartridge and a furtherdispensing cartridge supported therein by a dispenser holder securableto and removal from an end cap of the filter cartridge and an end cap ofa further filter cartridge with the filter cartridge and the furtherfilter cartilage located in a spaced vertical condition proximate eachother; a dispenser holder including a first set of resilient fingersengageable with a filter cartridge and a further filter cartridge and asecond set of resilient fingers engageable with a filter cartridge and afurther filter cartridge; a dispenser and dispenser holder contouringwith the filter cartridge and a filter well to avoid interference withmovement of a weir door in the filter well; a dispensing cartridge and adispenser holder that do not extend vertically above a top end cap on afilter cartridge or a top end cap on a further filter cartridge; adispenser holder including a first lip engageable with a top end cap ofa first filter cartridge and a second lip engageable with a top end capon a second filter cartridge to vertically support the dispenser holderthereon; and an axial length of the dispenser holder longer than anaxial length of a dispensing cartridge thereon with the axial length ofthe dispensing cartridge less than an axial length of a filtercartridge.

The invention may include some or all of the steps of killing harmfulorganisms in a hot tub while removing debri from recirculating waterincluding the steps of; attaching a dispenser containing a dispersant tothe filter cartridge with the dispenser spaced from the filter cartridgeso as not to prevent a flow of recirculating water therethrough; andaxially inserting a dispenser holder carrying a first replace ablecartridge and a second replaceable cartridge in a space between a set ofvertically extending filter cartridges.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, FIG. 16 shows an isolated front view of afilter well 50 of a hot tub with a filter well underwater dispenserholder 51 located proximate a filter media 53 of a horizontal extendingfilter cartridge 52. FIG. 17 is an isolated perspective view of thedispenser holder 51 of FIG. 16 and FIG. 16A is a sectional view takenalong lines 16A-16A of FIG. 16 showing a dispenser holder back face 51 aagainst the filter well back wall 50 a. Dispenser holder 51 includes afirst radial offset arm 60 engaged with a pipe 62 on one end of thefilter cartridge 52 and, similarly, as shown in FIG. 16 a second radialoffset arm 59 engaged with pipe 61 on an opposite end of cartridge 52 tosupport dispenser holder 51 thereon. In this example the dispenserholder back face 51 a engagement with filter well wall 50 a preventsrotation of the dispenser holder 50 while end pipe 62 and end pipe 61(FIG. 18, FIG. 19) prevent lateral or downward displacement of dispenserholder 50. FIG. 16A and FIG. 17 also show that dispenser holder 51cantileverly supports the dispensing cartridge sockets 65 and 66 outwardover the filter cartridge media 52 with the sockets spaced from thefilter media a distance x so that water can flow between the bottom ofthe dispensing cartridges and through the filter cartridge media 53proximate the filter cartridge sockets 65 and 66.

Filter cartridge 52 includes a first filter end cap 54 located at afirst end 53 a and a second filter end cap 55 located at a second end 53b of filter media 53. It is noted that the terms horizontal extending,as used to describe filter cartridge 52, may be defined as filtercartridge 52 supported within filter well 50 with a length of filtercartridge 52 extending from a first filter end cap 54 to a second filterend cap 55 with a central axis of the filter cartridge parallel orsubstantially parallel to a water line 56 in filter well 50.

As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 16A, when in use dispenser holder 51 islocated below the water line 56 in filter well 50 with the dispenserholder 51 supported proximal the ends of filter cartridge 52. Dispenserholder 51 is located proximate an exterior surface of the filter media53 but spaced from the exterior surface of the filter media 53 at leasta distance denoted by x which is sufficiently large so as to allow therecirculating water to flow through the filter media 53 proximate thedispenser holder 51 and dispensing cartridges 57 and 58.

Dispenser holder 51 may support one or more dispensing cartridges witheach of the dispensing cartridges containing a dispersant therein, theembodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17 show dispenser holder 51 supporting afirst dispensing cartridge 57 and a second dispensing cartridge 58 witheach of the dispensing cartridges 57, 58 being removably attached todispenser holder 51 and each containing a dispersant therein.

In regards to the dispersant, it is noted that the dispersant supportedby first dispensing cartridge 57 may contain a sanitizing halogen suchas chlorine and the dispersant supported by second dispensing cartridge58 may contains a mineral. Examples of sanitizing halogens include butis not limited to chlorine, bromine,bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethyihydantoin (BCDMH),1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin; (Dantachlor),dichloromethylethylhydantoin (DCDMH), and dichloromethylethylhydantoin(DCMEH) and a mixture of at least two of the aforementioned such as amixture of DCDMH and DCMEH. Examples of the minerals include any ionyielding materials that can be used to treat water in hot tubs or spasto rid the hot tubs or spas water of unwanted organisms. Oneparticularly well-suited dispersant mineral uses silver chloride as anion yielding material.

FIG. 16 shows dispensing cartridges 57, 58 cantileverly supported on atopside of dispenser holder 51 but below the water line 56 with anoutlet of each of the dispensing cartridges 57, 58 spaced from thefilter media 53 to thereby deliver the dispersant therein into therecirculating water flowing through the filter media 53. In some casesthe filter cartridge may be above the waterline as long as thedispersing orifices of the dispensing cartridges are located below thewater line.

Although dispenser holder 51 may support the dispensing cartridges 57,58 in a variety of ways, in the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, dispenserholder 51 is shown including a split socket 65 for replaceably mountingdispensing cartridge 57 to dispenser holder 51 and a split socket 66 forreplaceably mounting dispensing cartridge 58 to dispenser holder 51.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, filter well dispenser holder 51comprises a rigid longitudinal base 51 a including a first radial offsetarm 59 located at one end of base 51 a and a second radial offset arm 60located at the opposite end of base 51 a with offset radial arm 59having a hub 59 a for radial insertion onto an end member 61 proximate afirst end cap 54 of filter cartridge 57, and a second offset radial arm60 having a hub 60 a that extends more than 180 degrees to form snap-inengagement with an end member 62 proximate a second end cap 55 of filtercartridge 57, similarly radial arm hub 59 a may form snap-in engagement.

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view showing one end of filter welldispenser holder 51 of FIG. 17 with hub 59 a, which is located on aterminal end of offset radial arm 59. In this example hub 59 a is inengagement with a circular filter cartridge end pipe 61 that extendsoutward from a first end of filter cartridge 52. The hub 59 a ofradially offset arm 59 may be secured to the annular end pipe 61 offilter cartridge 52 through relative dimensional sizing of the annularend pipe 61 and the hub 59 a to thereby maintain the dispenser holder 60proximate the filter cartridge 52, for example an interference entry fitbetween hub 59 a and end pipe 61 that causes the hub 59 a to secureitself to end pipe 61 in a snap-in engagement. A reference to FIG. 20illustrates the snap-in feature with respect to a hub reducer 63. Hubreducer 63 has a diametrical inside dimension D and a hub entrydimension D₁, that extends between end 63 c and end 63 d of hub 63. Inthis example the diametrical dimension D, is smaller than D₁ as a resultof hub 63 extending beyond 180 degrees. The extension of hub 63 beyond180 degrees creates a return lip 63 c and a return lip 63 d on the endsof hub 63 with a smaller opening D₁ therebetween than the largerdiameter D of the filter cartridge pipe 61. Consequently, hub 63, whichis resilient, must yield or spread apart to allow lateral insertion ofpipe 61 of diameter D between end 63 c and 63 d and into the hub 63.Once pipe 61 is centrally located in hub 63 the hub 63 returns to theoriginal condition thus locking the hub 63 around the pipe 61 with ends63 c and 63 d. Thus, a feature of the invention is having one or morehubs that extend beyond 180 degrees with the hub resiliently yieldingfor laterally insertion of a circular filter cartridge end pipe therein.Once an end pipe is within the hub the resiliency of the hubautomatically returns the hub to its original size, i.e. a snap-inengagement. Although a snap-in feature is shown other methods may beused to secure the offset radial arms 59 and 60 of dispenser holder 51to the end pipes on the filter cartridge 52 without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view showing the second end of filterwell dispenser holder 51 with a hub 60 a, which is located on a terminalend of offset radial arm 60. In this example hub 60 a is located in asnap-in engagement with end pipe 62 of filter cartridge 52.

Typically, the diameter of hub 59 a and hub 60 a on dispenser holder 60are the same since most filter cartridges have the same diameter endpipe on both ends of the filter cartridge. However, in some filtercartridges the diameter of the end pipe on one end of the filtercartridge may be smaller than the diameter of the end pipe on the otherend of the filter cartridge thus preventing attachment of dispenserholder 51 thereto. A feature of dispenser holder 51 is that the insidediameter of one or both of hub 59 a and hub 60 a can reduced byattaching the reducer 63 having an internal diameter D to either or bothof the offset radial arms 59 and 60.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the reducer or end adapter 63 with ahub inlet diameter D₁ that is less than the hub internal diameter D. Inthis example end adapter 63 has resilient cantilevered extension 63 awith an end of each of the resilient cantilevered extensions including ahook or head 63 b for retention of the end adapter 63 on either offsetradial arm 59 or offset radial arm 60. FIG. 17 shows that radial arm 59contains a set of elongated hub slots 64 proximate the hub 59 a forreceiving the resilient extensions 63 a of reducer 63 to thereby form asmaller diameter hub for engagement with a smaller diameter pipe 62 on afilter cartridge. Similarly, radial arm 60 includes an identical set ofhub slots (not shown). In this example, hub slots are located on bothoffset radial arms 59 and 60 so that the end adapter 63, which containsa smaller diameter hub therein, may be mounted to either one of theradial arms 59 or 60 to reduce the diameter of the hub at the end of theradial arm so that the hub on the radial arm can be fitted to the endpipe on the filter cartridge 52, preferably through a snap-inengagement.

FIG. 19 shows an example of on-the-go compensation for a smallerdiameter pipe 62 on a filter cartridge. In this example the lateralextensions 63 a on end adapter 63 have been inserted into slots locatedon radial arm proximate hub 60 a thereby creating a reduced diameter hubthat can be brought into supported engagement with pipe 62 of filtercartridge 52. In summary, the use of end adapter 63, which is removablyattachable to either of the off set radial arms 59 or 60 allows one toon-the-go change the hub size on one or both of the radial arms ofdispenser holder 51 through snap-in securement. For example, end adapter63 includes at least one locking protrusion 63 a engageable with atleast one corresponding adapter-receiving slot located on each of thearms 59 or 60 of the dispenser holder 51 to thereby secure the endadapter 63 to the radial offset arm.

FIG. 20A is front view showing another example of an end adapter 78 thatcan be locked to the radial offset arm 60 through partial rotation ofend adapter 78. In this example the central diameter D engages the endpipe 62 and the hub entry dimension D₁ of the end adapter can be thesame, slightly larger or slightly smaller than end pipe 62 as theadapter 78 can be mechanically secured to end pipe 62 through partialrotation of end adapter 78 about pipe 62. That is, one uses front fingergrips 79 and 79 a, to rotate end adapter 78 to reduce the hub entrydimension D₁ thereby preventing the end adapter 78 from being removedfrom end pipe 62.

Extending radially outward from one side of end adapter 78 is a firstlatch 78 a and extending radially outward from an opposite side of endadapter 78 is a second latch 78 b, which is identical to latch 78 a.Latch 78 a, projects both radially and laterally outward from a frontface of adapter 78 and includes a first beveled surface 78 e and asecond beveled surface 78 c that joins to opposite edges of a flat topbase 78 d.

FIG. 20B is a side view of the end adapter of FIG. 20a showing latch 78a includes a lateral leg 78 f that extends perpendicular from thebackside of adapter 78 to enable mating of the end adapter latch 78 awith a similar latch 80 a on the offset radial arm 60. Similarly, latch78 b includes a lateral leg (not shown) that extends perpendicular fromthe backside of adapter 78 to enable mating of latch 78 b with a latch81 a on the offset radial arm 60. In this example each of the latcheshave a flat top base and beveled edges that adjoin the flat top base.

FIG. 20C is a partial view of offset radial arm 60 having mating latchesfor engaging with the end adapter of FIG. 20A with the latchescomprising a first mating latch 80 a having a first beveled surface 80 cand a second beveled surface 80 e that join to opposite edges of a topbase 80 d located proximate an L-shaped opening 80 f that extendsthrough arm 60. Arm 60 includes a second mating latch 81 a having afirst beveled surface 81 b and a second beveled surface 81 c that jointo opposite edges of a flat top base 81 d with second latch 81 a locatedproximate an L-shaped opening 81 f that extends through arm 60.

In this example latch 78 a and latch 78 b are asymmetrical positioned onend adapter 78 and the mating latches 80 a and 81 a on arm 60 are alsoasymmetrically positioned so that the latches 78 a and 78 b on endadapter 78 can be inserted into proper position on only one face ofradial arm 60. During the insertion process latch 78 b is extendedthrough the L shaped opening 81 f and latch 78 a is extended thought theL-shaped opening 80 d to bring the end adapter 78 into face-to-faceengagement with the radial arm 60. Once latches 78 a and 78 b have beeninserted into the L-shaped openings in radial arm 60 a partial rotationof end adapter 78 brings latch 78 a into engagement with latch 80 b andlatch 78 b into engagement with latch 81 a. In this example as endadapter 78 is rotated counter clockwise the beveled surface 78 e onlatch 78 a engages a beveled surface 80 e on latch 80 b. As rotation iscontinued the flat top 78 d of latch 78 a slides up beveled surface 80 eand over flat surface 80 e until the beveled surface 78 c of latch 78and beveled surface 80 c of latch 80 a are in face-to-face contactthereby providing resistance to counter rotation. Similarly, the beveledsurfaces of latch 78 b and latch 81 a engage each other hold end adapter78 in the rotated position on radial arm 60. To release the end adapterfrom the hub 62 the end adapter 78 is rotated in the clockwise directionthereby reducing the circumferential engagement around pipe 62sufficiently to thus allowing 60 and end adapter 78 to be lifted offpipe 62.

FIG. 21 shows the front face of dispensing cartridge 57 and FIG. 22shows the side face of dispensing cartridge 57. FIG. 23 is a top view ofdispensing cartridge 58, and FIG. 24 is a bottom view of dispensingcartridge 57 that is mountable to the filter well dispenser holder 51 ofFIG. 17. Dispensing cartridge 57 generally comprises an oval-shaped bodywith an elliptical shaped base 57 a having a flat bottom 57 b fortwist-in installation of the dispensing cartridge into a socket in thedispenser holder 51. FIG. 21 shows base 57 a having a side-to-side widthW (i.e. a major axis) and FIG. 22 shows the base 57 a having afront-to-back width W₁(i.e. a minor axis) with W₁ less than W. In thisexample base 57 a includes an inward canted face 57 c for facilitatingengagement with a socket on the dispenser holder 51. In otherembodiments the diameter of hubs 59 a and 60 a or adapter 62 may besized to be slightly larger than, slightly smaller than, or similar tothe matching hub diameter.

Dispensing cartridge 57 includes at least one vent hole and preferably aplurality of vent holes 67 located on a top end 57 a of dispensingcartridge 57, the vent holes 67 enabling air to escape from thedispensing cartridge to allow water to come into contact with adispersant therein through ports located on the bottom of dispensingcartridge 57.

FIG. 21 shows dispensing cartridge 57 includes a rotatably adjustabledispensing dial 68 located proximal base 57 b of the dispensingcartridge 57 for controlling the ingress and egress of dispersantthrough from the dispensing cartridge 57. The dispensing cartridge ofthe present invention also includes the feature of at least onedispensing cartridge window 69 providing user viewing access to therotatable dial 68. In the embodiment of FIGS. 21 and 24, dispensingcartridge 57 is shown as having pair of diametrically opposing windows69, 70 located proximal the bottom end 57 b of dispensing cartridge 57providing user access to the rotatable dial 68.

Another feature of dispensing cartridge 57 is that at least onecircumferential latch pocket is located on an exterior surface of thedispensing cartridge with the pocket mateable with a radial protrusionlocated within a dispensing cartridge socket to rotationally andlaterally secure the dispensing cartridge to the cartridge socket. FIG.21 and FIG. 25 show a first circumferential latch pocket 71 located onone side of dispensing cartridge 57 and a second circumferential latchpocket 72 located on the opposite side of dispensing cartridge 57 whileFIG. 22 shows a front view of latch pocket 71 having a first bevelsidewall 75 on one end of pocket 71 and a second beveled sidewall on theopposite end of latch pocket 71. Similarly, latch pocket 72 includes afirst bevel sidewall on one end of latch pocket 72 and a second beveledsidewall on the opposite end of latch pocket 72. A feature of theinvention is the beveled sidewalls 75 and 76 in latch pocket 71 providelimited resistance to twist removal of dispensing cartridge 57 from thedispensing cartridge supporting socket 65 since the protrusions 73 and74 (FIG. 26A) in the socket 65 can slide up the beveled sidewalls as atorque is applied to the dispensing cartridge.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a dispensing cartridge 57 of FIG. 21mountable in the dispenser holder of FIG. 17. Referring to the outlet ofthe dispensing cartridge 57, FIGS. 24 and 25 show the outlet ofdispensing cartridge 57 as comprising two sets of adjustable outputholes 75 of varying sizes for the dispensing of dispersant therethrough.The dispensing from output holes 75 is controlled by rotatablyadjustable dispensing dial 68. The size adjustable output holes 75 alsoincludes stand-offs 75 extending partially into an interior 77 of thedispensing cartridge 57 to prevent material blockage of the output holes75 with the stand-off 75 each having shapes and sizes that correspond tothe specific sizes of the particular adjustable output holes 75.

FIG. 26 is a side view showing dispensing cartridge 57 about to beaxially inserted into split socket 65 and FIG. 26A is a top view of asplit socket 65 that cantileverly extends from dispensing holder 51.Socket 65 comprises a first resilient arcuate extension 65 ecantileverly extending from dispenser holder 51 with the extension 65 ehaving a flat base 65 a and an arcuate lip 65 c to support and engageone side of a dispensing cartridge. Similarly, a second resilientarcuate extension 65 f cantileverly extends from dispensing holder 51with the second arcuate extension 65 f also having a flat base 65 b andan arcuate lip 65 d to support and engage an opposite side of thedispensing cartridge with the extensions 65 e and 65 f coacting tosupport a dispensing cartridge therebetween. Located on arcuateextension 65 e is a radial protrusion 73 having a first beveled end 73 aand a second beveled end 73 b for rotationally engaging one side of adispensing cartridge. Similarly, located on arcuate extension 65 f is aradial protrusion 74 having a first beveled end 74 a and a secondbeveled end 74 b for rotationally engaging an opposite side of thedispensing cartridge located therein.

FIG. 27 shows dispensing cartridge 57 of FIG. 21 as it is rotated intolocking engagement with the dispenser holder 51 of FIG. 17. FIG. 28shows dispensing cartridge 57 of FIG. 21 rotated into locking engagementwith the dispenser holder 51 of FIG. 17. A further feature of thedispenser holder is that the may be axially inserted by aligning theradial protusion and the forcing the cartridge axially into thedispenser holder.

FIGS. 26, FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 show successive steps in attaching adispensing cartridge 57 to a split socket on dispenser holder 51, whichcomprises aligning the dispensing cartridge 57 with a split socket 65 asshown in FIG. 26 and rotating the dispensing cartridge into latchingengagement with the socket as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. Morespecifically, in the first step shown in FIG. 26 the dispensingcartridge 57 is positioned above socket 65 with the side face ofcartridge 57 having latch pocket 71 thereon facing outward. Note, inthis positioned the cartridge width W₁ (FIG. 21) is less than a relaxedwidth y of the side-to-side opening in socket 25, which allows one toquickly align and insert the cartridge 57 into the socket 65 until thecartridge base 57 a contacts socket flat base 65 a and socket flat base65 b. Once the cartridge 57 contacts the flat base 65 a and flat base 65b one rotates the cartridge 57 as shown by the arrow in in FIG. 27.

FIG. 27A is a partial isolated top view showing the circumferentialposition of radial protrusion 73 with respect to latch pocket 71 duringthe second step. In this step the resilient extension 65 e and 65 f flexoutward to allow rotation of cartridge 57. A continued rotation ofcartridge 57, which is shown in FIG. 28, brings the radial protrusion 73into engagement with latch 71 pocket through the resiliency of extension65 e and extension 65 f. Similarly, radial protrusion 74 is brought intoengagement with the latch pocket 72, which also provides a resistancefor further rotation as well as securing the dispensing cartridge 57 inoperative dispensing position in socket 65.

Thus the steps of securing a dispensing cartridge 57 to the dispenserholder 51 include axially inserting dispensing cartridge 57 into socket65 of the dispenser holder 51 until the dispensing cartridge 57 engagesdispensing cartridge socket 65. Dispensing cartridge 57 is then rotatedinto locking engagement, which may be identified by the engagement oflatch pocket 71 of filter cartridge 57 with a corresponding radialprotrusion 73 and latch pocket 72 in engagement with radial protrusion74.

Although not shown, when dispensing cartridge 57 needs to be replaced,dispensing cartridge 57 may be removed from the socket 65 by reversingthe process, i.e. twisting dispensing cartridge 57 to disengage latchpocket 71 and latch pocket 72 with the protrusions 73 and 74 in socket65 and then axially lifting the dispensing cartridge 57 out of thesocket 65. Thus, a feature of the invention is the easy attachment andeasy removal of a dispensing cartridge even though the dispensingcartridge is securely held in the socket 65.

The present invention also includes a method of sanitizing a body ofrecirculating water comprising the steps (1) removing a top lid of a hottub filter well 50 having a filter cartridge 52 located below a waterline 56 in a horizontal condition with the filter cartridge 52 having afilter media 53 therein for removing debris and bacteria from arecirculating water as the recirculating water flows through the filtermedia 53, (2) mounting a dispenser holder 51 within the filter well 50with the dispenser holder 51 supported proximal a first end and a secondend of the filter cartridge 52 and located proximate an exterior surfaceof the filter media 53 but spaced from the exterior surface of thefilter media 53 so as to allow the recirculating water to flow throughthe filter media 53 proximate the dispenser holder 51, (3) axiallyinserting at least one dispensing cartridge 57, 58 containing adispersant into a dispensing cartridge supporting socket 65, 66 of thedispenser holder 51, (4) rotating the dispensing cartridge 57, 58supported by the dispensing cartridge supporting socket 65, 66 towardslocking engagement, (5) engaging at least one latch pocket 71, 72 of thefilter cartridge 52 with a corresponding protrusion 73, 74 of thedispensing cartridge supporting socket 65 to lock the dispensingcartridge 57 to the dispensing cartridge supporting socket 65 and (6)covering the hot tub filter well 50 with the top lid.

The above method may also include the steps of (7) controlling thedispensing of the dispersant in the dispensing cartridge 57 and 58 inthe presence of recirculating water by adjusting the size of anadjustable outlet of the dispensing cartridge 57 and 58 located on thedispensing cartridge and (8) mounting the dispenser holder 51 to afilter cartridge mounting port 61 located proximal each of the ends ofthe filter cartridge 52 in a snap-in manner, and (9) removing thedispensing cartridge 57 and 58 from the respective dispenser supportingsocket 65 and 66 by twisting the dispensing cartridge 57 and 58 todisengage the latch pocket 71 and 72 of the dispensing cartridges 57 and58 with the corresponding protrusion 73 and 74 of and then axiallyremoving the dispensing cartridges 57 and 58 from the dispensersupporting socket 65 and 66.

Thus as shown and described herein, a feature of the invention is a hottub having a water chamber containing a body of recirculating water withthe hot tub including a filter well having a filter cartridge locatedbelow a water line in a horizontal condition with the filter cartridgehaving a filter media therein for removing debris and bacteria from therecirculating water as the recirculating water flows through the filtermedia; a dispenser holder located in the filter well with the dispenserholder supported proximal a first end and a second end of the filtercartridge and located proximate an exterior surface of the filter mediabut spaced from the exterior surface of the filter media so as to allowthe recirculating water to flow through the filter media proximate thedispenser holder; and at least one dispensing cartridge removablyattached to the dispenser holder with the dispensing cartridgecontaining a dispersant therein with an outlet of the dispensingcartridge located below the water line and spaced from the filter mediato thereby deliver the dispersant therein into the recirculating waterflowing through the filter media.

The dispenser holder of the invention contains numerous features weresome or all of the following features may be used in a dispensing systemincluding having: the dispenser holder support at least one dispensingcartridge between the filter cartridge and the water line; a pair ofextensions located on opposing ends of the dispenser holder with each ofthe extensions having a mounting slot for securement to a correspondingfilter cartridge mounting port in a snap-in manner; a set of filtercartridge mounting ports comprising a filter cartridge locating hub ofthe filter well and a male hub of the filter cartridge; mounting portscomprises a first mounting port and a second mounting port with thesecond mounting port having a smaller diameter than the first mountingport and including an end adapter releasable attachable to each of themounting slot, the end adapter having at least one locking protrusionand each of the arms of the dispenser holder having at least onecorresponding adapter receiving slot for engagement with the at leastone locking protrusion to secure the end adapter to the mounting slot,the end adapter enabling the securement of the attached mounting slot tothe second mounting port of the filter cartridge in a snap-in manner; anend adapter including at least one locking protrusion and each of thearms of the dispenser holder including at least one correspondingadapter-receiving slot for to secure the end adapter to the mountingslot; at least one dispenser supporting socket, the socket replaceablymounting the dispensing cartridge to the dispenser holder; dispensingcartridges located completely below the water line and spaced from theexterior surface of the filter media to thereby deliver a furtherdispersant into the recirculating water flowing through the filtermedia; dispensing cartridges each including at least one vent holelocated on a top end of the cartridge, the vent hole enabling thedispensing of the dispersant therefrom; dispensing cartridges eachincluding an oval-shaped body to allow for an insert and twist oninstallation to the dispensing cartridge socket of the dispenser holder;a rotatable dial located proximal a bottom end of the dispensingcartridge for controlling the ingress and egress of dispersant throughthe outlet of the dispensing cartridge; dispensing cartridges eachincluding at least one window providing user access to the rotatabledial; dispensing cartridges each including a pair of diametricallyopposing windows providing user access to the rotatable dial; dispensingcartridges each including at least one latch pocket located on anexterior surface of the dispensing cartridge and a dispensing cartridgesupporting socket including at least one protrusion mateable with thecorresponding latch pocket to secure the dispensing cartridge to thecorresponding dispensing cartridge supporting socket; at least onedispensing cartridge having a pair of diametrically opposing latchpockets and the at least one alignment member comprises a pair ofprotrusions mateable with the latch pockets to secured the dispensingcartridge to the corresponding dispensing cartridge supporting socket; apair of sloping or canted opposing side walls allowing for easy twistremoval of the dispensing cartridge from the dispensing cartridgesupporting socket in an opposite rotational directions; a plurality ofoutlet holes in the dispensing cartridge each including a standoffextending partially into an interior of the dispensing cartridge toprevent material blockage of the outlet holes; a sanitizing halogen andthe further dispensing cartridge containing a mineral wherein thesanitizing halogens comprises one or combinations of chlorine, bromine,BCDMH, DCDMH, DCMEH, or Dantochlor; the sanitizing halogens comprise amixture of DCDMH and DCMEH.

A further feature of the invention is a method of sanitizing a body ofrecirculating water by removing a top lid of a hot tub filter wellhaving a filter cartridge located below a water line in a horizontalcondition with the filter cartridge having a filter media therein forremoving debris and bacteria from a recirculating water as therecirculating water flows through the filter media, mounting a dispenserholder within the filter well with the dispenser holder supportedproximal a first end and a second end of the filter cartridge andlocated proximate an exterior surface of the filter media but spacedfrom the exterior surface of the filter media so as to allow therecirculating water to flow through the filter media proximate thedispenser holder; axially inserting at least one dispensing cartridgecontaining a dispersant into a dispensing cartridge-supporting socket ofthe dispenser holder; rotating the dispensing cartridge supported by thedispensing cartridge supporting socket towards locking engagement byengaging at least one latch pocket of the filter cartridge with acorresponding alignment member of the dispensing cartridge supportingsocket to lock the dispensing cartridge to the dispensing cartridgesupporting socket and covering the hot tub filter well with the top lid.The method may include some or all of the following steps: controllingthe dispensing of the dispersant in the dispensing cartridge in thepresence of recirculating water by adjusting the size of an adjustableoutlet of the dispensing cartridge; mounting a dispenser holder withinthe filter well with the dispenser holder supported on a first end and asecond end of the filter cartridge by mounting the dispenser holder to afilter cartridge mounting port located proximal each of the ends of thefilter cartridge in a snap-in manner; removing the dispensing cartridgefrom the dispensing cartridge supporting socket by twisting thedispensing cartridge to disengage the latch pocket of the filtercartridge with the corresponding alignment member of the dispensingcartridge supporting socket and then axially removing the dispensingcartridge from the dispensing cartridge supporting socket.

The invention may further include a hot tub having a water chambercontaining a body of recirculating water with the hot tub including: afilter well having a filter cartridge located below a water line in ahorizontal condition with the filter cartridge having a filter mediatherein for removing debris and bacteria from the recirculating water asthe recirculating water flows through the filter media with a dispenserholder located in the filter well with the dispenser holder supportedproximal a first end and a second end of the filter cartridge andlocated proximate an exterior surface of the filter media but spacedfrom the exterior surface of the filter media so as to allow therecirculating water to flow through the filter media proximate thedispenser holder; and a first dispensing cartridge and a seconddispensing cartridge replaceably supported by a pair of correspondingdispensing cartridge supporting socket located on the dispenser holderwith the dispensing cartridges supported between the filter cartridgeand the water line, the dispensing cartridges each containing adispersant therein with an outlet of the dispensing cartridges locatedbelow the water line and spaced from the filter media to thereby deliverthe dispersant therein into the recirculating water flowing through thefilter media. Other features which may be included are a pair ofextensions located on opposing ends of the dispenser holder with each ofthe extensions having a mounting slot for securement to a correspondingfilter cartridge mounting port located proximal each of the ends of thefilter cartridge in a snap-in manner; the filter cartridge mountingports comprising a filter cartridge locating hub of the filter well anda male hub of the filter cartridge; an end adapter releasably attachablemounting slots, the end adapter enabling the mounting slots to securethe male hub of the filter cartridge in a snap in manner; mounting portscomprises a first mounting port and a second mounting port with thesecond mounting port having a smaller diameter than the first mountingport and including an end adapter releasably attachable to each of themounting slot, the end adapter having at least one locking protrusionand each of the arms of the dispenser holder having at least onecorresponding adapter receiving slot for engagement with the at leastone locking protrusion to secure the end adapter to the mounting slot,the end adapter enabling the securement of the attached mounting slot tothe second mounting port of the filter cartridge in a snap on manner;the dispensing cartridges each including at least one vent hole locatedon a top end of the cartridge, the vent hole enabling the dispensing ofthe dispersant therein through the flow of water therethrough; thedispensing cartridges each including an oval-shaped body to allow for aninsert and twist installation to the dispensing cartridge supportingsocket of the dispenser holder; the dispensing cartridges each includinga rotatable dial located proximal a bottom end of the cartridge forcontrolling the ingress and egress of dispersant through the outlet ofthe dispensing cartridge; the dispensing cartridges each including atleast one window providing user access to the rotatable dial; thedispensing cartridges each including a pair of diametrically opposingwindows providing user access to the rotatable dial; dispensingcartridges each including at least one latch pocket located on anexterior surface of the dispensing cartridge and the dispensingcartridge supporting socket including at least one alignment membermateable with the corresponding latch pocket to secure the dispensingcartridge to the corresponding dispensing cartridge supporting socket;at least one latch pocket comprising a pair of diametrically opposinglatch pockets and the at least one alignment member comprises a pair ofcorresponding alignment members mateable with the latch pockets tosecure the dispensing cartridge to the corresponding dispensingcartridge supporting socket; the latch member includes a pair of slopingopposing side walls allowing for easy twist removal of the dispensingcartridge from the dispensing cartridge supporting socket in oppositerotational directions; the outlet of the dispensing cartridge comprisinga plurality of outlet holes with the plurality of outlet holes eachincluding a standoff extending partially into an interior of thedispensing cartridge to prevent material blockage of the outlet holes.

The invention may further comprises a hot tub dispenser holder having anattachment member removably securable to at least one mounting portlocated proximal an end of a filter cartridge supported below a waterline in a horizontal condition within a hot tub filter well, theattachment member supporting the dispenser holder proximate an exteriorsurface of a filter media of the filter cartridge but spaced from anexterior surface of the filter media so as to allow a recirculatingwater to flow through the filter media proximate the dispenser holder;and at least one dispensing cartridge supporting socket for removablysupporting a dispensing cartridge containing a dispersant therein belowthe water line and spaced from the filter media; the attachment membercomprises a pair of arms located on opposing ends of the dispenserholder with each of the arms having a mounting slot securable to acorresponding filter cartridge mounting port located proximal each ofthe ends of the filter cartridge in a snap-in manner; mounting slots ona pair of radial offset arms are securable to a filtercartridge-locating hub of a filter well and a male hub of a filtercartridge; a first mounting port and a second mounting port with thesecond mounting port having a smaller diameter than the first mountingport and including an end adapter releasably attachable to mountingslots, the end adapter having at least one locking protrusion and eachof the arms of the dispenser holder having at least one correspondingadapter receiving slot for engagement with the at least one lockingprotrusion to secure the end adapter to the mounting slots, the endadapter enabling the securement of the attached mounting slots to thesecond mounting port of the filter cartridge in a snap on manner and thedispensing cartridge-supporting socket including at least one alignmentmember mateable with a latch pocket located on an exterior surface ofthe dispensing cartridge to secure the dispensing cartridge to thedispensing cartridge supporting socket.

FIG. 29 is an isolated front view of a hot tub filter well 100 that isan integral component of a hot tub. In this example the hot tub filterwell 100 includes a first vertically positioned filter cartridge 101with a vertical axis 130 having an end cap 101 a located in a side byside relation to a second vertically positioned filter cartridge 102with a vertical axis 131 having an end cap 102 a, which may be used torotate the filter into proper position. In this example a rigiddispenser holder 104 is proximate only one of the two side by sidefilter cartridges 101 and 102 with the dispensing cartridges located invertical alignment and on stacked above each other with each other asopposed to the dispensing cartridges shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the underwater dispenser holder 104that is attachable to the end cap 101 a of filter cartridge 101 or theend cap 102 a of filter cartridge 102 without modifications to thefilter well or the filter cartridges therein and FIG. 30A is a top viewof the cap mountable dispenser holder 104 on filter cartridge 101. Thedispenser holder 104, which is shown in perspective in FIG. 30 and frontview in FIG. 33, comprises an L-shaped rigid base that includes anannular top base 105 that fits into latching engagement with the top andperipheral edge of filter cap 101 a and an elongated side base 103 withthe elongated side base 103 extending longitudinally proximate filtermedia 102 a as shown in FIG. 29. In this example the cap mountabledispenser holder 104 elongated side base 103 is cantileverly secured ata right angle to annular top base 105 to form a rigid one piecestructure for holding a first replaceable dispensing cartridge 110 and asecond replaceable dispensing cartridge 111 in a dispensing conditionthereon. As shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30A elongated side base 103extends at a right angle from filter cap 101 a when annular top base 105is mounted on end cap 101 a of filter cartridge 101 through latches 105a, 105 b and 105 c. FIG. 30B is an isolated view of a resilient L-shapedcap latch 105 a that snaps over the edge of end cap 101 a. A secondL-shaped cap latch 105 b and a third resilient L-shaped cap latch 105 calso snap over the edge of the end cap with the three latches coactingto hold the dispenser holder 104 in a fixed position on filter cartridge101. While snap over latches are shown other methods of attaching theholder to the cartridge may be used without departing from the sprit andscope of the invention.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken along lines 31-31 of FIG. 29 revealingthe elongated side base 103 spaced a distance x from an exterior surfaceof filter media, with the distance x sufficient so that water can flowinto the region between the elongated side base 103 and the filtermedia, which is located radially inward from elongated base 103. Thus,the cap mounted dispenser holder 104 is similar to dispenser holder 13and dispenser holder 51 as it does not prevent water from flowingthrough the filter media 101 proximate base 103, which could reduce theeffectiveness of the filter cartridge by reducing the filter mediaavailable for debri removal. Dispenser holder 104 as well as thedispenser holder 23 shown in FIG. 4A and the dispenser holder 51 shownin FIG. 17 also include this feature. That is each of the dispenserholders described herein can be positioned so as not to reduce theeffective filtering area of the filter media thereby not decreasing thelife expectancy of the filter cartridge.

In some applications a reduction in a portion of the filter mediafiltering may not significant, in those cases the invention describedherein may also be used by placing the dispenser holder base in contactwith the filter media. Thus, a feature of the invention is that itprovides flexibility for mounting under different flow conditions.

FIG. 29 shows that the dispensing cartridge 110 and the dispensingcartridges 111 are held in vertically alignment proximate the filtermedia 101 a. Dispensing cartridge 110 includes a top vent 110 b and arotatable wheel 110 a for controlling the open area for water to enterdispensing cartridge 110. Similarly, dispensing cartridge 111 includes avent 111 b and a rotatable wheel 111 b for controlling the water entryinto the dispenser 111. Thus the various examples of dispensingcartridges described herein can be attached or removed from a dispenserholder and each of the dispensing cartridges are mounted proximate anexterior surface of a pleated filter media of a filter cartridge wherethe filter cartridge may be mounted in the filter well of a hot tub orthe like.

FIG. 33 shows a front view of elongated base 103 revealing that one ofthe two dispensing cartridge has been removed from base 103 whiledispensing cartridge 111 remains attached to base 103. In this examplebase 103 includes a set of four pins 113 a, 113 b, 113 c and 113 d thatcan be frictionally engaged with sockets 110 a, 110 b, 110 c and 110 dof dispensing cartridge 110, which are shown in FIG. 34, to allowdispensing cartridge 110 to be attached or removed from elongated base104 through hand engagement of dispensing cartridge 110. FIG. 32 is atop view of dispenser holder 104 showing latching pins 113 a and 113 bon elongated base 103 that are used to attach and remove dispensingcartridges therefrom. Similarly, dispensing cartridge 111 is removablyattached to a set of identical socket and pins although other methods ofremovably attachment of the dispensing cartridges to the base member maybe used, for those shown in FIG. 6 and FIGS. 26, 27 and 28. Whileunderwater dispensing holder is mountable below the water line thedispensing holder may be located partially or wholly above the waterline as long as the dispensing cartridges thereon can deliver adisperant to the water flowing through the filter well.

A feature of the invention described herein is that the dispensingcartridges as a group can be positioned in a region of stable orconstant flow proximate the filter media as opposed to placement inturbulent flow that can occur in other portions of the filter well,which may cause an unwanted change in the dispensing rate from thecartridge without a change of settings on the dispensing cartridge.

We claim:
 1. A hot tub having a water chamber containing a body ofrecirculating water with the hot tub including: a seating area; a filterwell having a cylindrical filter cartridge located below a water line inthe hot tub with the cylindrical filter cartridge having a filter mediafor removing debris and bacteria from the recirculating water as therecirculating water flows radially inward through the filter media; adispenser holder located in the filter well with the dispenser holderhaving a base supported proximate an end of-a the filter cartridge witha face of the base spaced from but proximate an exterior surface of thefilter media to form a gap therebetween sufficiently large so as toallow the recirculating water to flow into the gap and through thefilter media proximate the dispenser holder; a dispensing cartridgeremovably attached to the dispenser holder with the dispensing cartridgecontaining a dispersant therein with an outlet of the dispensingcartridge located below the water line and spaced from the filter mediato thereby deliver the disperant therein into the recirculating waterflowing through the filter media; and a further dispensing cartridgeremovably attached to the dispenser holder with the further dispensingcartridge located below the water line and spaced from the exteriorsurface of the filter media to thereby deliver a further disperant intothe recirculating water flowing through the filter media with thedispensing cartridge and the further dispensing cartridge extendingpartially along the filter media and at least one of the dispensingcartridges contains a halogen.
 2. The hot tub of claim 1 wherein thedispenser holder includes a resilient yoke snapably engageable with aone end of the dispensing cartridge.
 3. The hot tub of claim 1 where thefilter well is an integral component of the hot tub.
 4. The hot tub ofclaim 1 where the filter well is coupled to a recirculating water systemthat circulates water through the filter well.
 5. The hot tub of claim 1wherein a water line of the filter well and the water line of the hottub are the same.
 6. The hot tub of claim 1 wherein the cylindricalfilter cartridge is mounted vertically in the filter well.
 7. A hot tubhaving a water chamber containing a body of recirculating water with thehot tub including: a seating area; a filter well having a cylindricalfilter cartridge located below a water line in the hot tub with thecylindrical filter cartridge having a filter media for removing debrisand bacteria from the recirculating water as the recirculating waterflows radially inward through the filter media; a dispenser holderlocated in the filter well with the dispenser holder having a basesupported proximate an end of the filter cartridge with a face of thebase spaced from but proximate an exterior surface of the filter mediato form a gap therebetween sufficiently large so as to allow therecirculating water to flow into the gap and through the filter mediaproximate the dispenser holder; a dispensing cartridge removablyattached to the dispenser holder with the dispensing cartridgecontaining a dispersant therein with an outlet of the dispensingcartridge located below the water line and spaced from the filter mediato thereby deliver the disperant therein into the recirculating waterflowing through the filter media; and a further dispensing cartridgeremovably attached to the dispenser holder with the further dispensingcartridge located below the water line and spaced from the exteriorsurface of the filter media to thereby deliver a further disperant intothe recirculating water flowing through the filter media wherein thedispensing cartridge and further dispensing dispenser holder contour thefilter cartridge and the filter well to avoid interference of movementof a weir door to the filter well.
 8. A hot tub having a water chambercontaining a body of recirculating water with the hot tub including: aseating area; a filter well having a cylindrical filter cartridgelocated below a water line in the hot tub with the cylindrical filtercartridge having a filter media for removing debris and bacteria fromthe recirculating water as the recirculating water flows radially inwardthrough the filter media; a dispenser holder located in the filter wellwith the dispenser holder having a base supported proximate an end ofthe filter cartridge with a face of the base spaced from but proximatean exterior surface of the filter media to form a gap therebetweensufficiently large so as to allow the recirculating water to flow intothe gap and through the filter media proximate the dispenser holder; andat least one dispensing cartridge removably attached to the dispenserholder with the dispensing cartridge containing a dispersant thereinwith an outlet of the dispensing cartridge located below the water lineand spaced from the filter media to thereby deliver the disperanttherein into the recirculating water flowing through the filter mediawherein the at least one dispensing cartridge has a concave side surfaceand the cylindrical filter cartridge has a convex surface with lateralarcuate spacing therebetween.